Mate is one of the most traditional drinks of Uruguay. It is an infusion tea made out of the twigs and leaves of the plant: Yerba Mate. It is the debated national beverage of Uruguay, however it is certainly one of the most common. There are several variations on how to brew and steep it, and there is much argument on which yields the finest outcome. However, the base element is the same. First, the gourd (container) is filled with one half to three quarters with Yerba. Second, herbs can be added for either health or flavor benefits. After that, the gourd is covered and held upside down and shaken, allowing particles to settle. Once that has occured, the gourd is held almost horizontal, and gently shaken from side to side to allow for further placement of the Yerba. After that, cold water can be added and once absorbed, allows the Yerba to be very finely packed and shapen. Also, this prevents the scalding of the Yerba, which means a better taste. Lastly, hot water is poured into the gourd in the cavaty inverse of the Yerba until it is nearly filled (Wikipedia). The bombillo (strainer/straw) has a very specific purpose. Since the mixture has some very large particles, the flared section of the bomba/bombilla filters those out, taking only the liquid. The more modern straws also have filters inside them, and these further remove particles from the mate.
The drinking of the Mate is usually a social event, with a very strict set of rules. The first filling of Mate is usually consumed by the cebador, and is typically called, "The drink of the Fool" (Wikipedia), because it might be too cold or too hot. The gourd is continuously refilled and passed on from person to person, and they do not thank the cebador. This continues until the Yerba Mate becomes washed out (usually about 10 servings, although this can change with the quality of the yerba and the server), and only once this happens is the cebador thanked, while the gourd is being passed back. Mate tastes bitter, almost a cross between green tea and coffee. For this reason, some people add sugar or honey to their mixture, creating Mate Dulce. However, this is bad for the wooden gourds and so there will often be two types of gourds inside a household if both types of mate are consumed there. Mate is also recognized world wide for it's health benefits.
Mate is considered safe to drink by the FDA, and is on the GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) List (Wikipedia). It has many mental and physical benefits, along with an entire multitude of vitamins and minerals that are good for the body. One common effect is eliminating fatigue while stimulating nerves and muscles, and it can also enhance intellectual activities. Mate is also anti-inflammatory, an antioxidant, an antispasmodic, a thermogenic (increases fat burning), aids in weight loss, and can help with mental clarity. "It contains vitamins A, C, E, B1, B2, Niacin (B3), B5, B... and complex minerals like Calcium, Manganese, Iron, Selenium, Potassium, Magnesium, Phosphorus, and Zinc. It also contains Carotene, Fatty Acids, Chlorophyll, Flavonols, Polyphenols, Inositol, Trace Minerals, Antioxidants, Tannins, Pantothenic Acid, and 15 Amino Acids." (Wikipedia).
The drinking of the Mate is usually a social event, with a very strict set of rules. The first filling of Mate is usually consumed by the cebador, and is typically called, "The drink of the Fool" (Wikipedia), because it might be too cold or too hot. The gourd is continuously refilled and passed on from person to person, and they do not thank the cebador. This continues until the Yerba Mate becomes washed out (usually about 10 servings, although this can change with the quality of the yerba and the server), and only once this happens is the cebador thanked, while the gourd is being passed back. Mate tastes bitter, almost a cross between green tea and coffee. For this reason, some people add sugar or honey to their mixture, creating Mate Dulce. However, this is bad for the wooden gourds and so there will often be two types of gourds inside a household if both types of mate are consumed there. Mate is also recognized world wide for it's health benefits.
Mate is considered safe to drink by the FDA, and is on the GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) List (Wikipedia). It has many mental and physical benefits, along with an entire multitude of vitamins and minerals that are good for the body. One common effect is eliminating fatigue while stimulating nerves and muscles, and it can also enhance intellectual activities. Mate is also anti-inflammatory, an antioxidant, an antispasmodic, a thermogenic (increases fat burning), aids in weight loss, and can help with mental clarity. "It contains vitamins A, C, E, B1, B2, Niacin (B3), B5, B... and complex minerals like Calcium, Manganese, Iron, Selenium, Potassium, Magnesium, Phosphorus, and Zinc. It also contains Carotene, Fatty Acids, Chlorophyll, Flavonols, Polyphenols, Inositol, Trace Minerals, Antioxidants, Tannins, Pantothenic Acid, and 15 Amino Acids." (Wikipedia).
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